Sylvan Beach residents vote down election date change

SYLVAN BEACH -- Although a proposition to change the date of local elections in the Village of Sylvan Beach from March to November's general election was defeated by a narrow margin of two votes in Tuesday's special election, voter turnout itself, said Trustee Dave Townsend, demonstrated one of the primary benefits of the proposed change.

"I was encouraged by the turnout; it far exceeded anything we see in March," Townsend said. "Those of us who favored moving the election to November believed it would result in more participation, and the turnout proved it would work."

A total of 310 votes were cast, although two absentee ballots and two in the ballot box were voided for various reasons. In the end, the proposal was defeated by a vote of 154 to 152.

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The turnout represents an increase over the last local March election, and a significant proportion of registered voters. Whether based on the number of registered voters reported by the county at 773, or the number of residents over age 18 according to the 2010 census at 761, the turnout represents at least 40 percent of registered voters. In the March election, 224 turned out to elect two trustees.

Townsend credited the citizens committee for helping inform the public and turning out the vote, and although disappointed in the outcome, said the amount of public participation in the months leading up to and during the special election was a victory in itself.

"It stirred up talk and got people involved," he said. "We brought people a question and they took the opportunity to voice their position. It's democracy in action and that's what it's all about."

The Sylvan Beach Village Board will meet again on Monday, Nov. 19 at 7 p.m.